Africa and the Global Illicit Economy

Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime

Africa and the Global Illicit Economy brings you stories and investigations based on the extensive research networks at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime.

We'll be looking at corruption, illicit financial flows, gangs, the role of foreign corporations, the political economy of crime, and the enabling environment that has made Africa vulnerable to the growth of organized crime.

Drawing on the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime's civil society observatories for North, South, East and West Africa to get a feel for how organized crime is impacting some of the world and the continent’s emergency trends and contemporary events.

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20 episodes
Updated Jun 21, 2025

Episodes20

Newest first

Jun 21, 2025 · 2 min
Season 2! Underworlds with Mark Shaw - Underworlds with Mark Shaw
Underworlds with Mark Shaw is returning for another season. Mark sits down with authors to discuss their investigations into the murky world of organized crime. In season two, we hear about a range of stories such as money laundering and cryptocurrency; the 'Ndrangheta's expansion from Calabria, Italy to other countries of Europe. Also the story of a leading South African police officer, who was tasked with investigating the Italian mafia in South Africa by Nelson Mandela. A fascinating story about one of the largest frauds in the history of the maritime industry. The growth and evolution of ransomware market, and finally a history of modern Russia told through the stories of four very different criminals. The series is hosted by Mark Shaw, the Director of the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime. Mark is also an author of a number of books on organized crime in South Africa. ==================================================== 📱 Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@UCP-lqJdhM-9iDKkswuVcXZA 🌎 VISIT US! Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime - https://globalinitiative.net/ 🎧WHY NOT TRY OUR OTHER PODCASTS: 🎧Deep Dive: Exploring Organized Crime - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXSX1Xu1kM0spSX0QUq7j0NmIZOqyDTZQ 🎧The Index - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXSX1Xu1kM0uc_4CftGl8PrwHA3IK5WeI =================================================== FOLLOW US X - @gitoc LinkedIn - @Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime IG - @gi_toc ===================================================
Sep 16, 2024 · 2 min
TRAILER: Underworlds with Mark Shaw - Underworlds with Mark Shaw
Welcome to Underworlds with Mark Shaw. Organized Crime is everywhere, hidden in plain sight. The stories from this world have been mythologised by Hollywood. But the reality can be even stranger and more exciting than fiction. From the golden age of the American mafia (La Cosa Nostra), to the modern-day cocaine empires, and from the shadowy links between organized crime and terrorism, to the twilight of the Yakuza. In this series Mark Shaw, the Director of the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime delves into non-fiction books about organized crime and the illicit economy with the authors themselves. He asks questions about their background and investigations, but also the challenges associated in writing about this murky world.
Nov 16, 2022 · 25 min
Organized Crime Risk in South Africa
Organized crime in South Africa threatens the economy, its people and the democratic institutions themselves. Every day we see a number of different and seemingly unconnected criminal incidents taking place - from assassinations to gang rapes in an illegal mining community; and from the violence of the taxi industry to organized cooper theft. But what lies behind all of these actions is a dark web, a criminal ecosystem driven by an increasingly violent South African underworld. In this episode Steph Musho talks to Julian Rademeyer, the Director of the East and Southern African Observatory at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime about a new and substantial report called 'Assessing South Africa's organized crime risk'.
Oct 17, 2022 · 15 min
The Gangs of Grassy Park
The Cape Flats in South Africa is made up of 20 suburbs make up the Cape Flats; populated predominantly by black and coloured communities, a term used to describe those of mixed-heritage. Each suburb is marked by poverty, crime, drug abuse, gangsterism and violence. In this, Lindy Mtongana's final episode, she looks at the Grassy Park where a slew of recent killings has exposed the devastating consequences of territorial battles among the Cape’s most dangerous gangs. Presenter: Lindy Mtongana Guests: Julia Stanyard, Senior Analyst, Observatory for East and Southern Africa, Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime. Lyndsay Connelly, a community organiser in Grassy Park. Additional Links: Civil Society Observatory of Illicit Economies in Eastern and Southern Africa - Risk Bulletin - Issue 25 The Global Organized Crime Index - South Africa Global Assassination Monitor Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime
Jul 25, 2022 · 18 min
Political Assassinations in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
In this episode Lindy delves into the murky world of political assassinations in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Where, according to the GI-TOC's assassination monitor data, for three of the last six years, political assassinations were higher than all other South African provinces combined. Presenter: Lindy Mtongana Speaker(s): Greg Arde, Journalist and Author of War Party: How the ANC’s political killings are breaking South Africa Chwayita Thobela, Analyst, Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime Thapelo Mohale, a shack dweller, and the secretary general of Abahlali baseMjondolo. Additional Reading: Eastern and Southern Africa Observatory - Risk Bulletin The rule of the gun: Hits and assassinations in South Africa, 2000-2017 Give Us More Guns: How South Africa’s gangs were armed Gun licenses for sale: South Africa's failing firearms control Murder by Contract: Targeted killings in eastern and southern Africa The Global Organized Crime Index - South Africa Profile Global Assassination Monitor Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime
Jul 5, 2022 · 21 min
Cattle Rustling in Mali
In this episode Lindy explores the world of cattle rustling in Mali, an act that has existed for centuries. But cattle rustling has evolved into a highly organized form of criminality involving Islamists and bandits, forcing farmers to arm themselves to protect themselves and their herds. Presenter: Lindy Mtongana Speaker: Deo Gumba, Civil Society Coordinator for the West Africa Observatory, Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime Additional Reading: West Africa and the Sahel Observatory - Risk Bulletin West Africa and the Sahel Observatory Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime
May 30, 2022 · 30 min
Drugs and Development Hub Regional Conversation
The Drugs and Development Hub is an initiative that brings together researchers, academics, policymakers and people affected by drug economies to discuss new approaches to drug policy. The ultimate goal is to shift mindsets towards more socially conscious and public-health oriented approach. This is the second episode covering the DDH. In this podcast Lindy sits down with a range of regional experts to discuss the issues. Drugs and Development Hub Twitter Presenter: Lindy Mtongana Speakers: Deborah Alimi, Independent Researcher on Drug Policy at Sorbonne University; Chinwike Okerere, the Founder and CEO of the African Law Foundation in Nigeria Maria-Goretti Ane, International Drug Policy Consortium in Accra, Ghana. Monique Marks, the Head of the Urban Futures Centre at the Durban University of Technology, South Africa. Additional Reading: A Synthetic Age: The Evolution of Methamphetamine Markets in Eastern and Southern Africa Drug markets in eastern and southern Africa: An overview of the current illicit drug economies and recent developments, drawing from the Global Initiative's ongoing studies in the country. A Shallow Flood: The Diffusion of Heroin in Eastern and Southern Africa A rising tide: Trends in production, trafficking and consumption of drugs in North Africa West Africa's Cocaine Corridor: Building a subregional response Global Organized Crime Index
May 17, 2022 · 18 min
The "Young Tycoon" and Fake Gold Scams in East Africa
In this episode, Lindy explores the case of Lual Lawrence Malong Yor, a South Sudanese businessman with a compulsion for flamboyant self promotion. But last year he was jailed in Uganda for masterminding a million-dollar fake gold scam. The Malong case is emblematic of a prolific problem in East Africa's gold Market. At the heart of these scams are criminal networks operating in Nairobi and Kampala, with connections in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Presenter: Lindy Mtongana Speaker: Julius Kaka, Field Network Coordinator for East and Southern Africa, Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime Additional Reading: Civil Society Observatory of Illicit Economies in Eastern and Southern Africa - Risk Bulletin - Issue 24 Sudans Post - ‘Young Tycoon’ Lawrence Lual Malong sentenced to 6 years in jail over $1m gold scam (GITOC Paper) Illicit gold markets in East and Southern Africa
Apr 29, 2022 · 21 min
Illicit Markets and Insurgency in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique
The attack on Palma last year made international headlines but for five years, Mozambique has been the site of a violent insurgency. The armed jihadist group, Ansar Al-Sunna, has terrorised communities in the northern province of Cabo Delgado. It’s believed that more than 3000 people have been killed, and over 700,000 displaced. Despite international recognition and a regional military response, the insurgency remains. In this episode of Africa and the Global Illicit Economy we explore the origins and drivers of the insurgency, whether there are links to the various illicit economies in northern Mozambique, and its security implications for the region. Presenter: Lindy Mtongana Speaker: Julia Stanyard, Senior Analyst, Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime Additional Reading: Civil Society Observatory of Illicit Economies in Eastern and Southern Africa - Risk Bulletin - Issue 24 Cabo Delgado: Africa's Forgotten Insurgency - Africa and the Global Illicit Economy Insurgency and Illicit trade in Northern Mozambique - Deep Dive: Exploring Organized Crime Scratching the surface: Tracing coloured gemstone flows from Mozambique and Malawi to Asia Crime, conflict and corruption: Nampula as a smuggling hub
Mar 17, 2022 · 24 min
Abalone: The Trafficked South African Sea Snail
Abalone is a fairly innocuous little creature that fits in the palm of your hand. It's a type of sea snail found off the coast of South Africa, and abalone is also considered a delicacy in Asia. It's been driven to near-extinction by massive levels of poaching, in a transnational criminal network that sees local, regional and international players compete for profits. In this episode, Lindy speaks to Simon Haysom about a new report from the Global Initiative called Disrupting Abalone Harms: Illicit flows of H. midae from South Africa to East Asia. Presenter: Lindy Mtongana Speaker: Simone Haysom, Senior Analyst and Thematic Lead on Environmental Crime at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime. Additional Links: Paper - Disrupting Abalone Harms: Illicit flows of H. midae from South Africa to East Asia. Civil Society Observatory of Illicit Economies in Eastern and Southern Africa Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime.
Jan 4, 2022 · 25 min
Africa Index on Organized Crime
At the end of November 2021, the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime alongside the International Institute for Strategic Studies released the Africa Organized Crime Index 2021 – which provides a picture of criminality and resilience of every country in Africa. The aim is to guide African policymaking and to stimulate debate on one of the greatest threats to the security and development of the continent – organized crime. Lindy sits down with Laura Adal (GITOC) and Martin Ewi (ISS) to discuss this collaborative work. Presenter: Lindy Mtongana Speakers: Martin Ewi, Institute for Security Studies Laura Adal, Senior Analyst, Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime Additional Links: (Paper) How has organised crime in Africa changed since 2019? (Index Website) ENACT Organised Crime Index (Africa 2021) (Global Index Website) Global Organized Crime Index
Nov 9, 2021 · 23 min
Cheetahs
The Cheetah – the fastest land animal in the world. This big cat once ranged across most of Africa and into Asia – today there are thought to be only 7,000 still living in the wild. The Cheetah is a protected species and is endangered, but there are a few countries that allow their legal export. But irregularities within the trade system means that abuse is significant – cheetah being taken from the wild and essentially laundered through legal captive breeding facilities. This podcast is based on the report Live cheetahs. Presenter: Lindy Mtongana Speaker: Patricia Tricorache - Wildlife Trafficking Research Associate at Colorado State University Reading: Live Cheetahs, Black Market Brief Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime
Oct 6, 2021 · 40 min
The Kuluna Gangs of Kinshasa
"Joining Kuluna gangs is an expression of anger, injustice and frustration - to enact revenge on society" Kinshasa, a megacity in Central Africa and the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The majority of the 12-million city population are under 25, but rapid urbanisation, a lack of employment opportunities, violence and poverty has seen many of these young people joining street gangs known as Kulunas. In this episode we look at who the Kuluna are; what role they play in their communities and society; the vulnerability of women; the specific Kuluna culture that has developed; the violence that is at the heart of their operations; and their relationship to politics and law enforcement. This podcast is based on the paper Criminals or Vigilantes? Kuluna Gangs of the Democratic Republic of Congo by Thierry Vircoulon and Marc-André Lagrange. Presenter Lindy Mtongana Speakers Thierry Vircoulon, Coordinator of the Observatory for Central and Southern Africa, and the French Institute for International Affairs Marc-André Lagrange, Senior researcher on conflict, humanitarian and security issues in central Africa Rigobert Minani, Head of the Research and Socio-Political Department, Centre d’Etudes pour l’Action Sociale Rose Mutshanga, President of SYEFES, the synergy of women from civil society in the Democratic Republic of Congo Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime
Sep 20, 2021 · 28 min
How to Silence the Guns: Southern Africa’s illegal firearms markets
For decades the illegal firearms market in the Southern African counties was driven by regional conflicts, many of those firearms likely ended up in the hands of criminal groups. But today, we are seeing a much more worrying trend - newer weapons entering the market, some through cross-border trafficking, but more are being sourced domestically. And according to a new research paper from the GI, in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa, a significant number of those firearms are coming from state actors. Guest: Jenni Irish-Qhobosheane, Senior Analyst, Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime Paper: How to Silence the Guns: Southern Africa’s illegal firearms markets Presenter: Lindy Mtongana (Book) Give Us More Guns, Mark Shaw For other podcasts, videos and research about organized crime head over to the website.
Sep 6, 2021 · 50 min
Fishy Business
This is a story of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, complex corporate structures, human trafficking, arms smuggling, corruption and the capture of state institutions. In this collaborative episode with Deep Dive: Exploring Organized Crime, we travel to the rich fishing grounds off Puntland in Somalia and a fleet of vessels known as the "Somali 7", before looking into a politically connected company that has an uncanny ability to operate either outside or just on the fringes of the law. This podcast is based on the report Fishy Business: Illegal Fishing in Somalia and the capture of state institutions. Presenter: Lindy Mtongana Speakers: Jay Bahadur, Researcher and Investigator at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime. Dr. Katharine Petrich, visiting assistant professor incoming at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California Ian Urbina, Investigative Journalist and author of The Outlaw Ocean. Austin Brush, Senior Analyst at C4ADS Additional Reading Jay Bahadur, GITOC - Fishy Business: Illegal Fishing in Somalia and the capture of state institutions Ian Urbina - The Outlaw Ocean.
Jun 14, 2021 · 47 min
The Death of Déby
On the 20th April 2021, Idriss Déby Itno, the President of Chad for three decades died from wounds he reportedly suffered on the frontline against rebel fighters. His death could leave a power vacuum in a region that is already rife with instability, fuelling more uncertainty, violence, geopolitical posturing, and criminal opportunity in the Sahel. Chad is a major hub for trafficking activities including drugs, people, gold and vehicles. The porous borders at the extremities contain mercenary groups and bandits, many situated around the vast artisanal gold mines in the north. The death of Déby will reshape the illicit economies not only in Chad, but the entire region. Presenter: Lindy Mtongana Speakers: Dr Remadji Hoinathy, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Security Studies, where he covers West Africa, the Sahel, and the Lake Chad Basin Jerome Tubiana, Independent Researcher, specialising in Chad, Sudan and Libya. Emad Badi, Senior Analyst at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime Alice Fereday, Senior Analyst at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime Alexandre Bish, Senior Analyst at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime Reading: Déby’s death will fuel instability and criminal opportunity in the Sahel (GITOC, Alexandre Bish) After the storm: Organized crime across the Sahel-Sahara following upheaval in Libya and Mali (GITOC) Democracy in Chad takes a back seat to military might (ISS Africa, Dr Remadji Hoinathy) Who are Chad’s FACT rebels and what are their goals? (Al Jazeera) Links: North Africa and the Sahel Observatory (NAS-Obs) Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime Producer: Jack Meegan-Vickers
May 25, 2021 · 8 min
Introducing: Too Many Enemies
We would like to introduce the Africa and the Global Illicit Economy audience to a new podcast series that has been launched by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime. It's called ‘Too Many Enemies’ – and the series looks at the assassination crisis in South Africa through the lens of a very specific case. In a brilliant bit of storytelling, this podcast is presented by Paul McNally and produced for the GI by Volume. It is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, News24, or wherever you get your podcasts. For six weeks a new episode will be released every Thursday. Enjoy! Reading The Rule of the Gun: Hits and assassinations in South Africa, 2000-2017 Assassination Witness Project
Apr 28, 2021 · 49 min
Cabo Delgado: Africa’s Forgotten Insurgency
On March 24th 2021, Islamist insurgents carried out an attack on the coastal town of Palma in the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado. The days of fighting, looting, massacres, private military contractors, and dramatic rescues led to thousands more people fleeing to escape the violence. The attack took place just a few kilometres from Total’s $20 billion-dollar natural gas project on the Afungi peninsula and in the same province as the huge ruby fields of Montepuez. Last year the Global Initiative asked how this ongoing insurgency is impacting the illicit flows that travel through the region – after the attack at Palma, we have decided to revisit this subject. This is a collaborative episode between Africa and the Global Illicit Economy and Deep Dive: Exploring Organized Crime. Presenter: Lindy Mtongana Speakers: Prof. Adriano Nuvunga – Director of the CDD Mozambique Zenaida Machado – Senior Researcher, Human Rights Watch Alastair Nelson – Senior Fellow, Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime Johann Smith – Independent Security Analyst in Mozambique Colonel Lionel Dyck – CEO of the of Dyck Advisory Group (DAG) Reading: Observatory of Illicit Economies in Eastern and Southern Africa – Risk Bulletin Issue. 17 A Triangle of Vulnerability: Changing patterns of illicit trafficking off the Swahili coast Podcast: Deep Dive: Exploring Organized Crime – Insurgency and illicit trade in Northern Mozambique 'Criminals and Terrorists': Framing Mozambique's Insurgency - OCCRP Hundreds Missing After Mozambique Attack: Government Should Provide More Information About Situation in Palma Amnesty International: Mozambique: Civilians killed as war crimes committed by armed group, government forces, and private military contractors. Producer: Jack Meegan-Vickers Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime
Mar 31, 2021 · 37 min
The Evolution of Meth Markets in Eastern and Southern Africa
With the release of the new report: A Synthetic Age: The Evolution of Methamphetamine Markets in Eastern and Southern Africa - How do GI analysts research drugs? And what happens when, despite the best efforts, prosecution of illicit actors fails? Presenter: Lindy Mtongana Guests: Jason Eligh, Senior Expert at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime. Alastair Nelson, Senior Fellow at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime. Shamini Jayanathan, Senior Prosecution Advisor for the UNODC. Additional Links: A Synthetic Age: The Evolution of Methamphetamine Markets in Eastern and Southern Africa Civil Society Observatory of Illicit Economies in Eastern and Southern Africa: Risk Bulletin - Issue 16 The Ivory Game, Netflix
Mar 18, 2021 · 28 min
The Future of Libya Under Dabaiba
Who is Abdul Hamid al-Dabaiba (Dbeibah), Libya’s transitional prime minister? In this episode, we discuss political alliances, crime governance and the changing dynamics of Libya’s illicit economy under Dabaiba and the Government of National Unity (GNU). Emadeddin Badi, Senior Analyst, Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime Rebecca Murray, Senior Analyst, Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime Jalel Harchaoui, Senior Fellow, Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime